He also played football for local side Parkgrove. Andrew Watson was a talented player and after marrying Jessie Maxwell in Glasgow he joined Queen's Park, at the time, the best club in Scotland. He also became club secretary and led his team to several Scottish Cup wins.

On 12th March 1881 Watson won his first international cap when he played as right-back for Scotland against England. He was captain and led his country to a 6-1 victory. Two days later he played in the team that beat Wales 5-1. The following year he won his third cap when Scotland beat England 5-1.

Watson sacrificed his international career when he moved to England in 1882. The Scottish Football Association refused to select men who played football outside Scotland. Watson joined London Swifts and in 1882 he became the first black man to play in the FA Cup. In 1884 he joined the elite amateur club, Corinthians.

Watson moved to Liverpool and played for Bootle while working in the engineering industry. Later he returned to Glasgow and played once more for Queen's Park.

Andrew Watson moved to Bombay, India, and is believed to have died in around 1902.